The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Chicago Bulls 119-112 on Tuesday (Oct. 24). The Chicago Bulls put up a good fight against the Cleveland Cavaliers but they just had no answer for LeBron James. James had another huge game with 34 points, two rebounds, 13 assists, and three steals. Could he be on the path to win another NBA MVP Award this season?
Lauri Markkanen hits five three-pointers
Lauri Markkanen had a great game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, as he was red hot from beyond the arc. He contributed 19 points, eight rebounds, and one block in 32 minutes.
He shot 58 percent from the field and 63 percent from the three-point line. Markkanen is showing how dangerous he is from the three-point line and if he can also improve other areas of his game, he will surely become a solid role player in the future.
Bulls shoot 51.5 percent from the three-point line
The Chicago Bulls were red-hot from the three-point line against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They shot 51.5 percent from beyond the arc and 47.7 percent from the field. Paul Zipser, Lauri Markkanen, Robin Lopez, Kay Felder, and Denzel Valentine all shot above 50 percent from the field. Despite being outmatched, the Bulls kept it close due to how good they were shooting, but Kyle Korver also made a couple of threes in the fourth which helped the Cavaliers seal the win.
Cavaliers bench score 46 points
With the Chicago Bulls red hot from deep, the Cleveland Cavaliers really needed their bench to step up, and that was exactly what they did. Jeff Green contributed 16 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Dwyane Wade and Kyle Korver contributed 11 points and three rebounds apiece. Channing Frye was also able to contribute eight points in just seven minutes.
Coming into the regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers were a really deep team. Even with Derrick Rose and Isaiah Thomas out, the Cavs still have a scary bench unit. If their bench can continue to play well, they might have a chance to get their second NBA title.
#Cavs overcome sluggish start, CHI's 17 triples, move to 3-1 with 119-112 win; CLE bench, 46pts -- Jeff Green, 16pts, 4-6FG, CLE, 16-20FT.
— Joe Gabriele (@CavsJoeG) October 25, 2017
Dwyane Wade comes off the bench
Dwyane Wade came into the game asking to come off the bench, which led to J.R.
Smith coming back to the starting unit. J.R. Smith struggled against the Bulls, contributing three points, four assists, and four rebounds. He went 1-of-8 from the field and 1-of-7 from beyond the arc.
As Smith struggled, Wade was still his usual self, despite not starting the game. He contributed 11 points, three rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in just 18 minutes.
"I feel that my best opportunity is in the 2nd unit."
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 23, 2017
More from @DwyaneWade → 🎥: https://t.co/ur2eIyFmhi pic.twitter.com/V1e3z0p1Mw